Environment and Delinquency
Over the last several years, the issue of juvenile crime and its impact on the criminal justice system has been increasingly brought to the forefront. This is because there are debates about what to do with these types of offenders and the kind of approach that should be utilized with them. These differences have resulted in considerable amounts of volatility in juvenile delinquency rates. Evidence of this can be seen with the total number of cases that were handled by the juvenile courts from 2000 to 2008 (which is illustrated in the below table).
Total Number of Juvenile Related Cases in the Criminal Justice System from 2000 to 2008
Amount
million million
2002
1.678 million
2003
1.687 million
2004
1.689 million
2005
million
2006
1.647 million
2007
1.658 million
2008
1.653 million
("Delinquency Cases," 2010)
These figures are showing how the juvenile crime rate has continued to remain volatile. This is despite the fact that they are below the all-time high in the total number of cases from 1995 (which is 1.8 million). As a result, there have been a variety of theories and programs introduced that are designed to help curb these amounts. To determine their effectiveness requires focusing on the how their environment will influence the delinquency rates and the criminal justice system. Together, these elements will highlight the way this is impacting these numbers. ("Delinquency Cases," 2010)
The Impact of the a Juvenile's Environment in Comparison with Delinquency Rates
Since the end of World War II there has been a dramatic change in the structure of the American family. This is because the traditional two parent household has quickly disappeared from: divorce, single parent families and increasing teen pregnancy rates. These transformations have led to fewer positive influences in the life of the children (who are living in non-traditional households). Over the course of time, this has meant that more juveniles will become involved in criminal activity. (Hammen, 1996)
Evidence of this can be seen with study that was conducted...
Just as parole programs typically restrict contact between offenders, a Differential Association-oriented delinquency prevention program would endeavor to prohibit the formation of deviant groups and criminally-prone gangs. The specific mechanisms for intervention would include sentencing juvenile offenders to mandatory suspension of social relationships deemed capable of precipitating delinquent or criminal conduct in lieu of harsher penalties. Another mechanism might be the strict enforcement of particular municipal codes, such as ordinances
This is an important consideration that each clinical practitioner must contemplate sooner or later -- and perhaps it is best done sooner rather than later. It is not something I have considered lightly, but at the end of the day I am confident that I can find that balance in my life. I am person of many different interests: music, art, philosophy, writing, research; and I am a spiritual
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Juvenile Delinquency Impact of Poverty, Health Problems, Family Problems on Increase in Juvenile Delinquency? Juvenile delinquency and its causes have been studied extensively. Many factors that put adolescents at risk of becoming delinquent have been identified. The majority of youth who enter the child welfare system, and many of the youth who are caught up in the juvenile justice system have experienced abuse and neglect, dysfunctional home environments, destructive and inconsistent parenting
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